Apparatus for harvesting grass seed



Sept. 30, 1958 J. L. NlsBET APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING GRASS SEED Original Filed Feb. 5, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f -f 24 wwf" g T* y sa D I3 I3 l n. l5 23 t n' J la 15 y1 n l2 L I I i Hl J 54 3a a5 35 M 54 3s 54 33 3o 54 3s INVENTOR.

FIG l John L. Nlsbet ATTORNEY I Sept. 30, 1958 J. NlsBET 2,853,844

APPARATUS FOR HARVFSTING GRASS SEED original Filed Feb. 5, 1951 2 sheets-'sheet 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent O APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING GRASS SEED John L. Nisbet, El Paso, Tex.

Original application February 5, 1951, Serial No. 209,391,

now Patent No. 2,706,373, dated April 19, 1955. Divi9ded7and this application March 11, 1955, Serial No. 4 3,7 5

8 Claims. (Cl. 56--126) The invention relates to improved apparatus for harvesting ripe grass seed in the eld. The present application is a division of my application Serial No. 209,391, tiled February 5, 1951, relating to Method of Harvesting Grass Seeed, now Patent No. 2,706,373, dated April 19, 1955.

There are at present a number of excellent grasses which are extremely valuable for planting in new territory and in the reseeding of more or less barren territories, many of which are found in the Southwest and elsewhere in the United States. Due to the peculiarities of a number of these grasses there has not been any effective means for threshing or harvesting the same. Existing combines or regular grain threshers do only a meager job even if a considerable amount of time and effort have been expended for setting the machine for the particular job. One of the valuable grasses which cannot be effectively threshed with present machinery is the Blue Stem Grass, known as King Ranch Blue Stem. 'Ihe seed of such grass in condition for planting currently sells for about $50.00 per pound. Such grass has a head about two and one-half inches long. The rst blooms are at the top of the head and accordingly ripening occurs first at the tip of the head, and by the time the lower part of the head is ripe and ready for harvesting the seed which has matured at the top portion of the head has been shattered and lost unless harvested prior to the ripening of the seed at the lower part of the head. If the harvesting of seed at the upper portion of the head is carried out with equipment at present available the green or immature lower portion of the head is injured by the swiftly revolving positively driven spiked toothed picking members which are generally employed in the threshing operation.

The primary object of the present invention is accordingly to provide means for selectively harvesting the ripe grass seed only, without injuring any unripened or green portions of the head, and without injury to the grass itself. By repeatedly subjecting the seed bearing heads of grass to my improved threshing operation a much larger proportion of the seed is saved than has been possible heretofore. In accordance with my invention I rely principally upon the use of .a powerful air blast to blow the ripe seeds out of the heads as the apparatus is passed through a field of grass to be harvested, this grass seed being blown into and through a receiving conduit and thence into a bag `or other suitable receptacle which is preferably porous to allow air to pass therethrough while retaining the grass seed. Preferably, a revolving brush or the like driven solely by the air blast assists and coacts with the air blast in removing the ripe seed from the grass heads. A brush so rotated imparts only a light touch to the heads containing the seed. The air blast in combination with the brush revolved thereby perform a very selective harvesting operation in that the ripe seed is removed and blown into the receptacle while the green portion of the head is in no way in-` 2,853,844 Patented Sept. 30, 1958 ICC jured or molested, leaving unn'pe seed to mature for later harvesting. Thus, my improved apparatus is particularly designed for the express purpose of harvesting grass seed in the eld without injury to the green portion of the grass, and is not to be confused with other types of apparatus relying on positively driven toothed cylinders and the like for performing the threshing operation, which power devices, while designed for harvesting grains such as wheat, rye, oats, barley and the like, are not suitable for harvesting grass seed, particularly Blue Stem Grass or the like.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of my invention the threshing equipment, including a blower conduit and a receiving conduit containing a brush or the like adapted to be rotated solely by the force of the air blast, are carried at the front of the tractor. The revolving brush is mounted with its axis parallel to the line of travel of the tractor and the air blast is directed substantially at right angles to the line of travel toward the lower portion of the brush. My improved apparatus, which is particularly adapted to thresh grain planted in rows, may also be effectively used to handle broadcast crops, and may be provided with multiple sets of blowing and receiving conduits in the interest of etiiciency. Means are also preferably provided for regulating the height of the blowing and receiving conduits so that the apparatus may be adjusted to crops of various heights or at different stages of growth.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description in which a specific embodiment of the invention is set forth by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view largely diagrammatic in character showing the relation of t-he blower nozzle, the receiving conduit and the revolving brush which are shown on a smaller scale in assembled position in Fig. 3 and which constitute the principal elements of the combination;

Fig. 2 is a plan view on a reduced scale showing a tractor equipped with a set of threshing elements embodying my invention;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the same with parts broken away and others shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing one of the receiving conduits and a porous bag or other foraminous receptacle for the collected seed; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view with parts shown in section of one of the brushes with which the receiving conduit is equipped.

Referringrst particularly to Fig. 1,710 denotes a downwardly directed blower conduit and the reference numeral 11 denotes a corresponding receiving conduit, both conduits being adapted to be mounted at the front end of a tractor or other suitable carrier vehicle as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The blower conduit or nozzle 10 is adapted to direct a powerful .air blast from a suitable blower, fan or the like through its mouth or nozzle opening 12 into the lower portion of the mouth 13 of the receiving conduit 11, which mouth portion as shown is considerably larger than the lower nozzle opening 12. The air blast passes from the nozzle opening 12 into the receiving mouth 13 in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the carrier vehicle, the movement of the air being indicated by the arrows 14.

As shown, a brush 15I having four sets of bristles extending lengthwise of the brush is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in the conduit 11 adjacent the mouth portion thereof and is adapted for rotation about an axis extending parallel to the direction of movement of the vehicle. Rotation of the brusliis eiect'edA solely by the force of the air blast, which, as shown, is directed against the lower portion of the brush below the axis of rotation thereof, thereby causing the brush to rotate in the' direction ofthe arrow 16.' The lower; portionoi:` the brush inrevolving'op'erates close to the wallof thereceivingconduit or chute but does not contact the'sa'rne. The airblast'acts to turnthe'b'rush and at the same time blows the grass heads occupying the' space betweenthemouth of the blower and nozzle'and the`mouth of the receiving chute into the chute' andthence into the brush, whose bristles brush off the ripe grass seeds which are then carried -by the' blast through the conduit' 11 into 'a suitable receiving receptacle or bag. As the machine travelsl for'- ward' the grass travels relatively backward across the floor of-the receiving conduit orl cliute and under the brush. The airblast withth'e assistance of the revolving brush removes jthe ripe grain,` whichis'carried `by the air through the receiving conduit or chute and into the retaining receptacle. No' threshing mechanism.y is required following this operation upon the material'collected bythe combined a`ction`of the blast and therevolvingbrush, for the conglomerate willfbe found'Y to-consist mostly of' ripe grain with veryv little-foreign matter.

- ln-'Figs` 2A and' 3a multiplelrow form of threshing apparatusvisshown-applied'to arconventio'nal farm tractor whicl'i'is generally'l indicated bythe referenceletter A, the same being providedwith tractor' wheels B and a front wheel or wheels C, the latterbeing c'ontrolled'by a steering wheel D accessible to the operator on a seat E. The form of threshing apparatus illustrated in Figs; 2 and 3 is primarily designed for operation on grass planted in rows and is'adaptedto operate on two rows at a time, such device including two blowing conduits communicating with'a'co'mmon blower passage it()a leading from a blower casing in which is mounted a'propeller unit or fan 21 mounted on a horizontal shaft 22 having'at one end a pulley 23'driven by a'belt 24 from a drive pulley-25 with whichfthe tractor is equipped, and which may be driven from the tractor engine infany suitable manner. As shown,the outlets 12vof the centrally located blower conduits'larerdirectedoutwardly toward the inwardiy directed inlets of the receiving con'du-its` 131. It will be understoodrthat any convenient number of Vsets of threshing units, each including a blower conduit 10 and a receiving conduit 11 together with a revolving brush 1S at the inlet and-a suitable receptacle at the outlet of the receiving conduit, may, be employed without departing from my invention in its broadest aspects, ythough it has been found in practice that-a set Vof two threshingunits arranged at the front of the tractoris most desirable from the standpoint of efliciency. A Such a device, particularly when providedl with suitable guides for the blades or stalks of grass is `also effective in'raeld in which the grass to be harvested'h'as been broadcast instead of planted in rows.

As shown, the threshing equipment is carried by a suitable' frame', generally designatedby the reference numeral 30, and comprising'interco'nnected bars m'ountedat the front of the tractor together Withother supporting 'members suitably carried by the' frame of the tractor. To support the lfront frame a pair of'longitudinally extending side bars or angle irons31, 32V are 'shownsecured "to the sides of the tractor A at any suitable elevation.' These extend forwardly beyond the'tractor proper, and extending transverselyv thereof across` the projecting ends of the side bars there' is provided a transverse frame'member or bar'33,l herein shown in the form of an angleiron of substantial thicknessv andlstrength, which provides a sup portV forth'e grain threshingapparatus. Prtjajecting4 up wardly 'from the bar 33 and supported thereby are a pair of inner vertical bracket members 34, 34'which serve as supports for the ends ofthe fan shaft 22'previously referred'to.y To the ends of the supporting bar 33are adjustably connected a pair of outer vertical frame members 3S; 35, to' the" lower" ends of which a secundhorizontal frame member in the form of an angle iron 36 is secured in any suitable manner. The outer vertical frame menibers 35, 35 are provided with a plurality of apertures 37 which coact with suitableV pins 38 adapted to be inserted .through apertures at the'ends' of the bar 33 to retain the vertical members 35 in any desired adjusted position.

The lower horizontal frame member 36 serves as a support for the receiving conduits 11-of the threshing apparatus, and for this purpose a pair of horizontal slots 39, 39 are provided near the ends of the'bar 36, `through which bolts 40 may be inserted, whichextend'through the casing of the receiving conduits. By means of-the slotsA horizontal adjustment of the receiving conduits is 'facilitated 1 If desired brace rods or strips 41 may be provided connecting the tops of the receiving conduit casings with the tops ofthe'v'ertical frame members- 35,' 35.

The horizontallframeirnember 36 in conjunction with the upper' frame member 33p`rov`ides a'support for the conduit'llwhichconnectsthe fan casingzwith the out wardly directed ,blowerl conduits 10. The conduit may be secured to the fram-e members in any suitable manner', as by welding or the like.

In orderv to direct the grass being harvested, and particularly the heads thereof, toward the spaces between respective blower conduit outlets and the' corresponding re'ceivin'g''conduit'inlet suitable inclined guide or gathering members 50" and! 51' are'proviled. As showngthe outer guidelor gathering members -50arese`cured to the corners of the respective receiving conduits 11, 11 inany suitable manner', as' by bolts 100, and may also if desiredbe secured'to the-horizontal frame member" 36. The inner guide or gathering. members 51 are shownassu'pported fromthe lower transverse'frame member 36 and extend downwardly therefrom to'a'position slightly below the lower limits ofthe blower conduits 10.

The guide members 50'and' 51- are'each provided with inclined-'surfaces 53Which'te'nd'todirect the grass to'be harvested` and particularly the heads thereof into the spaces' between the blower'and' receivingconduits; The guide or gathering members 50 and 51' are also provided with outwardly directed-foot portions 54 which engage the grass vstems near the groundand thus' exertv a bending action which assists in the gathering operation.' The foot portions-54-alsovserve to-protect the' lowerends of the blower and receiving conduitsl against injury;

If desired-the lower, portions of the' individual blowing and receiving` conduit casings may be made vertically adjustable with reference to the upper-portions,- to conform to variations-in level of the grass heads being harvested. Such individualV adjustment may also be necessary in order to insure the proper relation ybetween the blower outlet and the receiving. inlet of a particular pair of harvesting units; Simultaneous verticaladjustrnent of the entire harvesting assembly is insured by raising or lowering the vertical carrier members 35V with respect to the cross bar-3,3.

Anysuitable foraminous or porous receptacle may be provided to retain the seed blown into the vreceiving conduits 11,` 11, while ypermitting the'ar to pass through the poresrtftereof. As shown inFig. 5 a bag 60 is detachably secured at its mouth portion 61 to the'outlet end 62 of each receiving'couduit 11; A suitablev detachable fastening' device, such as a`coil'spring or the like 101, may be providedto releasably secure the bag mouth to the receivingconduit. A suitable platform (not shown) may be provided to support the weight'of the bag and contents asit'is beingtlled. When the b'agis filled'it isremoved from the neck of the receiving cond-uit and may be replaced byv another' bag.V

Similarly, any suitable revolvingtbrush 15 or equivalent means coacting .with the air lblast and-driven thereby may be provided at the inlet Vportion of each receiving. conduit.

As shown each brush is mounted upon an axle 70, the ends of which are journalled in the side walls of the inlet or mouth portion of its respective receiving conduit. The brush includes a pair of disk like end members 71, 71 between which extend a plurality of radially extending cross bars 72, herein shown as four in number, each of which carries a row of bristles 73. The cross bars 72 provide vanes against which the blast from the propeller nozzle impinges, thereby causing rotation of the brushl about its central axis which extends transversely of the casing of the receiving conduit adjacent its mouth portion.

It will be noted from Figs. 4 and 5 that the central portion of the brush 1S between the disks 71 is hollow except for the cross bars 72 Iand the axle portion, thus allowing the air blast to flow freely through the brush.

'I'he operation of the device will be largely apparent from the foregoing description. As the tractor A with the attached grass seed harvesting or threshing equipment is driven through a eld of grass having heads bearing ripe seed the horizontal feet 54 and inwardly inclined vertical side portions 53 of the gathering guides 50 and 51 direct the Igrass into the spaces 12 and 13 between the mouth portions of the blower and receiving conduits and 11. The high pressure air blast from the fan or blower 21 passes downwardly through the pipe 10a, then divides and passes laterally from the diverging blower outlets 12 across the intervening passages and into the lower portions of the receiving conduits 11, where it impinges against the cross bars 72 of the brushes 15 below their axes, causing them to rotate in the direction of the arrow 16, causing the rows of bristles to lightly engage the heads of grass which :are brought into the path thereof by the combined action of the gathering guides and the air blast. The combined effect of the air `blast and the brushes strips the ripe grass seed from the heads, without injuring the green portions thereof, and after removal of the seed from the heads the air blast carries the seed upwardly through the vertical portion of the receiving conduit, then through the rounded neck portion 62 and into the collecting bag or sack, which is sutiiciently porous to allow the air to flow freely therethrough while retaining the seed therein. When the bag 60 is filled it may be removed and replaced with another.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, but it will be obvious that numerous modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. An ambulant harvesting machine for selectively removing ripe grass seed from seed heads of growing grass without injury to the green or immature portion, which comprises a carrier vehicle adapted to be drawn through a iield of standing grass, a blower conduit and a receiving conduit carried thereby, the blower conduit having a lateral discharge nozzle located near the level of the grass heads, the receiving conduit having an open mouth portion, the lower portion of which is on substantially the same level as the blower nozzle, and a brush mounted for free rotation within the mouth portion of the receiving nozzle about a horizontal axis, said brush having vanos adapted to be driven by the blast from said nozzle, whereby the ripe seed is separated from the seed head and directed through the receiving conduit, the air blast from the blower nozzle being directed principally below the axis of rotation of the brush.

2. A grass seed harvester as set forth in claim l,

wherein the blower and receiving conduits are vertically adjustable.

3. An ambulant harvesting machine for selectively removing ripe grass seed from seed heads of growing grass without injury to the green or immature portion, which comprises a carrier vehicle adapted to be moved through a field of standing lgrass, a blower conduit and a receiving conduit carried thereby, the blower conduit having a lateral discharge nozzle located near the level of the grass heads, the receiving conduit having a vertically elongated open mouth portion, the lower portion of which is on substantially the same level as the blower nozzle, and a brush mounted free for rotation about a horizontal axis in the mouth portion of the receiving conduit, said brush being driven solely by the blast from said blower nozzle, the air blast from the blower nozzle being principally directed Ibelow theaxis of rotation of the brush.

4. An ambulant harvesting machine for selectively harvesting ripe grass seed from growing grass without injury to immature portions of the seed head, a foraminous receptacle, a tubular conduit leading to said receptacle and having an inlet mouth portion on a level with the heads of seed to be harvested, a blower having an outlet nozzle disposed to direct an air blast into said inlet mouth portion, and a brush mounted for free rotation about a horizontal axis in the inlet mouth portion, and the air blast from the `blower nozzle being principally directed below the axis of rotation of the brush.

5. The machine as defined in claim 3 together with a cross bar rigidily mounted on said vehicle, and a vertically adjustable frame attached to said cross bar, said blower and receiving conduits being mounted on said frame, whereby the operating levcl of the nozzle of the blower conduit and the mouth portion of the receiving conduit maybe vertically adjusted.

6. The machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said receiving conduit is adjustable horizontally on said frame toward and away from said blower conduit, whereby the distance of the mouth portion of the receiving conduit from the nozzle of the blower conduit may be varied.

7. An ambulant grass seed harvesting machine which comprises a carrier vehi-cle, a blower conduit and a re ceiving conduit carried by the vehicle, the blower conduit having a lateral discharge nozzle and the receiving conduit having an open mouth portion extending vertically to a greater extent than said nozzle and laterally spaced therefrom, the lower portion of the mouth portion being on substantially the same level as the nozzle, and a brush having vanes and being mounted for free rotation about a horizontal axis in the mouth portion of thc receiving conduit substantially midway between the top and `bottom thereof, the air blast being principally directed below the axis of rotation of the brush.

8. A grass seed harvesting machineas set forth in claim 7, wherein a plurality of sets of blower and receiving conduits are mounted at the front end of a carrier vehicle.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,250,516 Salter Dec. 18, 1917 2,346,270 Nisbet Apr. ll, 1944 2,427,115 Nisbet Sept. 9, 1947 2,484,524 Nisbet Oct. ll, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 338,414 Great Britain Nov. 20, 1930 

